As part of my ongoing professional development, I recently attended a conference sponsored by the New Jersey Association for College Admission Counseling (NJACAC). This event gathered admission deans from the University of Delaware, Princeton Univerity, Rutgers Univeristy, Villanova University, and The College of New Jersey...
With the holidays approaching and Black Friday and Cyber Monday just a week away, now is a great time to start thinking about gifts for high school and college students. While each student's interests, needs, and preferences vary, here are several gift ideas (with links to...
The FAFSA —the Free Application for Federal Student Aid—typically opens on October 1st. This year, however, the launch is delayed until December following a major revamp of the U.S. Federal Student Financial Aid system. Introducing the Student Aid Index (SAI) is among the most notable...
Choosing where to apply to college can feel like standing at the edge of a vast ocean of possibilities. Narrowing a list can seem daunting, but focusing on 10 to 12 colleges can make the application process more manageable. Here's a short guide for students...
High school is a transformative period in a student's life. Still, amid the whirlwind of experiences and the pressure to get “good” grades, students often overlook a valuable resource that can significantly enhance their educational journey: their high school teachers. Cultivating close relationships with teachers...
Now that summer is in full swing, parents may wonder what their high school students can (or should) do to avoid learning loss. While it’s important for students to spend time over the summer relaxing and having fun, they may also want to keep their...
Now that the 2022-2023 college application season is over, let's explore some of the latest admission trends and what they could mean for students applying to college this fall. Application volumes remain high. The Common Application reported a 7.5% increase in applications compared to last year. A...
Parents are often concerned when their child is undecided about what they want to study in college. My response: it’s a good thing! According to a national survey conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI), approximately 33% of first-year college students in the United States...
At college information sessions and campus tours, prospective students routinely hear about the research opportunities available to undergraduates, sometimes as early as the first semester of their first year of college. High school students may wonder why colleges emphasize research so much. Here are a...
The college admissions process can feel complex and competitive, but it is also an exciting and important step in a student’s educational journey. Whether students are just starting to research colleges or are in the final stages of applying (i.e., waiting for admissions decisions to...